Van Buren State Park sits at an elevation of approximately 735 feet within the Maumee River watershed. This northwest Ohio camping region receives an average annual rainfall of 35 inches, with peak camping season occurring from May through September when temperatures typically range from 60-85°F. Campsites near Van Buren, Ohio connect to a network of multi-use trails that serve both hikers and equestrians throughout the area.
What to do
Cross-country skiing: Van Buren State Park offers winter recreation opportunities with beginner-friendly terrain. "I came cross country skiing here in early January and it was absolutely amazing. It is cold but the terrain is simple for first time skiers," notes a visitor at Van Buren State Park Campground.
Hiking and biking: Mary Jane Thurston State Park features several interconnected trails that pass through the campground and connect to the historic towpath trail. "There are lots of bike trails as the towpath trail goes through the park and it even leads into the little town of Grand Rapids. A quaint town with lots of antiques store and boutique with a brewery and pizza shop," reports a camper at Mary Jane Thurston State Park Campground.
Water activities: Several campgrounds feature fishing ponds and water recreation opportunities. At Adventure Bound Pleasant View, "They do offer a swimming pool, pond with inflatable slides, dog park, bound pad and miniature golf," according to a recent visitor.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Many campgrounds in the region offer good spacing between campsites. "The sites are very close together. Whatever you do, do not come before the 2 pm check-in time because they will charge you even if you're with a group!" warns a camper at Adventure Bound Camping & Cabins.
Riverfront camping: Some campgrounds offer premium waterfront sites with direct river access. "Our site was right along the Maumee River and our view was just breathtaking. We watching the seagulls play and catch food while great blue herons skimmed that water and fisherman were out fly fishing. It was just a very peaceful setting," shares a visitor at Mary Jane Thurston State Park.
Clean facilities: Campgrounds in the region maintain their shower houses and restrooms regularly. "The shower house has individual bathrooms with your own sink, shower, toilet. These are kept very clean," notes a camper at Toledo East-Stony Ridge KOA.
What you should know
Bathroom variations: Facilities differ significantly between campgrounds. "There were only drop toilets and no showers. They were clean but I don't think I'd want to do more than a weekend there," explains a visitor at Van Buren State Park Campground.
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance bookings, especially for weekends. "Because there was a two-night minimum reservation on weekends and we were just passing through, we decided to try and roll the dice and see if we could slide into a spot for just a night without a reservation. Alas, the only spots still available were walk-in tent sites," shares a camper at Mary Jane Thurston State Park.
Seasonal considerations: Many campgrounds operate with limited amenities in winter months. "We were told they do close October 31st, however they leave electricity and dump station open for campers to use," reports a visitor at Toledo East-Stony Ridge KOA.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: When booking, check proximity to play areas. "Some of the sites are small so you have to be careful which you site you reserve if you're a tent camper. The outside of the circle is your best bet and there's a few scattered in the middle. If you can get a good middle spot it's nice if you have kids since there's a playground, swings, basketball, and tether court," advises a visitor at Van Buren State Park.
Water recreation options: For families, look for campgrounds with swimming options. "Campground was really nice. Small and quiet but fun! Staff and seasonal campers were super friendly and helpful! Playground is great, lots to do, and the fishing and swimming lakes are nice. Caught some decent bass and kids enjoyed all the bluegill fishing," notes a camper at Twin Lakes Park.
Group camping logistics: Several campgrounds accommodate family reunions or group events. "This park has lots of seasonal sites and it's set up nice for large group camping. We visited this park as a group camping event hosted by the Wandering Wagners and it was a nice location for this event," shares a visitor at Adventure Bound Camping & Cabins.
Tips from RVers
Water and electric access: Check utility placement before arrival. "Our site was really nice. The pads were recently paved and had a huge bumper at the end. The fire ring was nice and the site had plenty of space for tents," reports a Van Buren State Park visitor.
Dump station locations: Some parks have inconvenient dump station placements. "Only criticism is you have to drive to another area of the park for an RV dump," notes a camper at Van Buren State Park.
Site access and size: Larger rigs should confirm site dimensions. "We travel towing a 14 foot trailer and were able to fit both in our pull through site along with my jeep. The site was easy to level," shares a visitor at Toledo East-Stony Ridge KOA.
